PG
Independent State of Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Summary
Papua New Guinea is a country in the Pacific that is home to 9,119,000 people. It is also home to 839 living indigenous languages. One of these, Tok Pisin, is an official language of the country. Papua New Guinea was also home to 12 indigenous languages that are now extinct. In addition, 1 non-indigenous language, English, is established within the country. It is also an official language. In formal education, 23 indigenous languages are used as languages of instruction.
At a Glance
Languages
Families
Trans-New Guinea (367) Austronesian (238) Torricelli (57) Sepik (54) Ramu-Lower Sepik (32) South-Central Papuan (15) Border (12) Skou (9) South Bougainville (9) East New Britain (7) Language isolate (7) Arai (Left May) (6) Yuat (5) North Bougainville (4) Arafundi (3) Eastern Trans-Fly (3) Kwomtari (3) Mongol-Langam (3) Yele-West New Britain (3) Amto-Musan (2) Creole (2) Fas (2) Piawi (2) Senagi (2) Pauwasi (1) Pidgin (1) Sign language (1) Unclassified (1)
Language Policy Conventions
Papua New Guinea has adopted the following international conventions which speak to indigenous language rights.